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Prisons and jails of the Northwest's past

DANIEL DEMAY|September 27, 2016

Photo: Courtesy MOHAI

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"McNeil Island is located in Puget Sound in the northwestern part of Pierce County. The island was named for William McNeill, captain of a Hudson's Bay Company steamer. In 1869, the U.S. Army Engineers built a jail on McNeil Island. The facility became a federal prison in 1909 and was transferred to the state of Washington in 1981. At that time it was renamed the McNeil Island Corrections Center. Prior to its closing on April 1, 2011, it was the last remaining island prison in the country. This photo, taken early in 1939, shows the prison farm and buildings at the McNeil Island Penitentiary. At that time, prisoners worked the surrounding farmland, producing food for the prison and prison employees." -MOHAI. Photo courtesy MOHAI, Seattle P-I Collection, image number PI25102.

"McNeil Island is located in Puget Sound in the northwestern part of Pierce County. The island was named for William McNeill, captain of a Hudson's Bay Company steamer. In 1869, the U.S. Army Engineers built a

"McNeil Island is located in Puget Sound in the northwestern... Photo-11110717.135404 - seattlepi.com

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"The cell house was constructed of brick and stone with a wooden roof that contained 38 double cells. #1 cell house was in use until 1936." -Washington State Archives. The record doesn't specify the building's location, but it is presumably on McNeil Island. Photo courtesy Washington State Archives.

"The cell house was constructed of brick and stone with a wooden roof that contained 38 double cells. #1 cell house was in use until 1936." -Washington State Archives. The record doesn't specify the building's

"The cell house was constructed of brick and stone with a... Photo-11110711.135404 - seattlepi.com

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This photo shows the McNeil Island prison sometime between 1920 and 1930. The prison closed in 2011, but a special commitment center, run by Washington's Department of Social and Health Services, remains in operation there for sexually violent criminals, who go there after completing their prison sentences.

This photo shows the McNeil Island prison sometime between 1920 and 1930. The prison closed in 2011, but a special commitment center, run by Washington's Department of Social and Health Services, remains in

"The Institution as it appeared in 1937.' -- Typed on paper attached to image. The building being demolished on the right is probably the first cellblock, built in 1873 by the Territorial Jail. It was demolished to make space for a new utility building." -Photo and text courtesy Washington State Archives.

Amanda Owens, who was raised on McNeil Island, poses for a photo in a cell during the closing ceremony for McNeil Island Corrections Center on Thursday, March 3, 2011. Her father was a corrections officer on the island from 1983 to 2000. Many families lived on the island, which had a school and other elements of a community. McNeil Island housed inmates since 1875 and in 1904 became a federal prison. It eventually became part of the Washington State prison system and was closed due to budget cuts. The remaining inmates were distributed to other Washington facilities. less

Amanda Owens, who was raised on McNeil Island, poses for a photo in a cell during the closing ceremony for McNeil Island Corrections Center on Thursday, March 3, 2011. Her father was a corrections officer on ... more

Photo: Joshua Trujillo

Amanda Owens, who was raised on McNeil Island, poses for a photo in... Photo-1975000.135404 - seattlepi.com

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The Roy Gardner room is shown at the Olympic Club Hotel in Centralia, Washington. In 1921, notorious outlaw Roy Gardner -- who later escaped from McNeil Island prison -- was captured in that room.

The Roy Gardner room is shown at the Olympic Club Hotel in Centralia, Washington. In 1921, notorious outlaw Roy Gardner -- who later escaped from McNeil Island prison -- was captured in that room.

Photo: Joshua Trujillo/Seattlepi.com, AP

The Roy Gardner room is shown at the Olympic Club Hotel in... Photo-1043630.135404 - seattlepi.com

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Cellhouse 2, also known as "the hole" is shown during the closing ceremony for McNeil Island Corrections Center.

Cellhouse 2, also known as "the hole" is shown during the closing ceremony for McNeil Island Corrections Center.

Photo: Joshua Trujillo/Seattlepi.com, AP

Cellhouse 2, also known as "the hole" is shown during the... Photo-1043635.135404 - seattlepi.com

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McNeil Island Corrections Center March 3, 2011, the day the prison had a formal closing ceremony. McNeil Island was once home to train bandit Roy Gardner.

McNeil Island Corrections Center March 3, 2011, the day the prison had a formal closing ceremony. McNeil Island was once home to train bandit Roy Gardner.

This photo shows the Oregon State Penitentiary in the 1880s. The first incarnation of this jail was the Oregon Territorial Jail, built in Oregon City, in 1842. When that jail burned down in 1846, Oregon used local jails to house prisoners until the state legislature OK'd funding for a new one in 1851. Initially, the prison was to be built in Portland on Front Street, but the state had bought two lots -- one on each side of the street -- and the city refused to vacate and reroute the street to make way for the prison. After temporary housing was provided for prisoners in Portland, a new site was chosen in Salem, and construction began in 1854.

This photo shows the Oregon State Penitentiary in the 1880s. The first incarnation of this jail was the Oregon Territorial Jail, built in Oregon City, in 1842. When that jail burned down in 1846, Oregon used

This photo shows the Oregon State Penitentiary in the 1880s. The... Photo-11110705.135404 - seattlepi.com

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The Oregon Boot, officially called the Gardner Shackle, was Oregon State Penitentiary Warden J.C. Gardner's solution to keep prisoners around to build themselves a new prison. The prisoners were to build a new prison, but there was nothing but shacks to house them during the construction, so Gardner hatched the idea for what came to be known as the Oregon Boot. The device was roughly a 28-pound iron or lead weight that was clamped around the prisoner's ankle and attached to a frame than went under their heel. The idea was that its weight -- only on one leg -- made balance very difficult, thus making escape nearly impossible for the inmates. The device was so successful that Gardner made the prisoners keep wearing it even after they moved into the new prison. Eventually, however, the damage the boots did to prisoner's ankles was too much -- it often caused terrific pain after long wear and would put permanent dents into prisoners' ankle bones. The constant wearing was discontinued in 1878, but it was used for transporting criminals nationwide by the turn of the century. Their use was still hard on the people who wore them for even short periods of time and by 1939, they were phased out. (Background courtesy offbeat Oregon, photo from 1922 Popular Science magazine).

The Oregon Boot, officially called the Gardner Shackle, was Oregon State Penitentiary Warden J.C. Gardner's solution to keep prisoners around to build themselves a new prison. The prisoners were to build a new

The Oregon Boot, officially called the Gardner Shackle, was Oregon... Photo-11113805.135404 - seattlepi.com

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The Walla Walla penitentiary (now known as the Washington State Penitentiary) opened in 1886 and is the longest operating prison in the state. It is the home of Washington's death row and has room for 2,200 inmates. Photo courtesy Washington State Archives. This postcard shows the Walla Walla State Penitentiary grounds, sometime before 1940. Image: Penny Postcards.

The Walla Walla penitentiary (now known as the Washington State Penitentiary) opened in 1886 and is the longest operating prison in the state. It is the home of Washington's death row and has room for 2,200

The Walla Walla penitentiary (now known as the Washington State... Photo-11110715.135404 - seattlepi.com

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This photo shows the inside of the Walla Walla Penitentiary sometime between 1890 and 1910. The facility opened in 1886 and is the longest operating prison in the state. It is the home of Washington's death row and has room for 2,200 inmates.

This photo shows the inside of the Walla Walla Penitentiary sometime between 1890 and 1910. The facility opened in 1886 and is the longest operating prison in the state. It is the home of Washington's death row

This photo shows the inside of the Walla Walla Penitentiary... Photo-11110730.135404 - seattlepi.com

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This photo shows Seatco Territorial Prison in Bucoda, Washington (Thurston County), circa 1885. This was the first territorial prison in Washington; prisoners were put to work in local industry, mostly coal at the time. The prison was closed after the Walla Walla prison opened in 1890.

This photo shows Seatco Territorial Prison in Bucoda, Washington (Thurston County), circa 1885. This was the first territorial prison in Washington; prisoners were put to work in local industry, mostly coal at

The Old Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge, Montana, opened in 1871, with room for 14 prisoners. Within a month of opening, the then-territorial prison was overcrowded and would continue to be until it came under state control in 1890, under the leadership of Frank Conley. As it happened, Conley's time as warden (1890 to 1921) would be the smoothest years of the prison's operation, even if Conley did take advantage of his position through use of prison and state resources and labor for personal gain (he was removed from his wardenship in 1921 after a trial in which he could not be convicted of anything thanks to a vague contract between himself and the state). The prison, built right along Main Street on the south end of town, closed in 1979 and a new facility was opened nearby. This photo shows the sandstone exterior wall that was built in the 1890s by prisoners under Conley's direction. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

The Old Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge, Montana, opened in 1871, with room for 14 prisoners. Within a month of opening, the then-territorial prison was overcrowded and would continue to be until it came

The Old Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge, Montana, opened in... Photo-11110710.135404 - seattlepi.com

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This Google Street View image shows the old Montana State Prison as it still stands along the south end of Main Street in Deer Lodge. At one time, the prison consisted of the main facility shown, along with multiple farms, ranches and other off-site work locales for prisoners. The facility closed in 1979 and the site is now a museum.

This Google Street View image shows the old Montana State Prison as it still stands along the south end of Main Street in Deer Lodge. At one time, the prison consisted of the main facility shown, along with

Pictured is James McCalman during the work to build the exterior walls of the old Montana State Prison at Deer Lodge. The photo would have been taken during the 1890s, as that is when the sandstone brick walls went up. Photo: Montana Historical Society.

Pictured is James McCalman during the work to build the exterior walls of the old Montana State Prison at Deer Lodge. The photo would have been taken during the 1890s, as that is when the sandstone brick walls

Pictured is James McCalman during the work to build the exterior... Photo-11110704.135404 - seattlepi.com

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This postcard shows the Montana State Prison at Deer Lodge in the 1940s. Photo: Wikimedia Commons/simpleinsomnia.

This postcard shows the Montana State Prison at Deer Lodge in the 1940s. Photo: Wikimedia Commons/simpleinsomnia.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons/simpleinsomnia

This postcard shows the Montana State Prison at Deer Lodge in the... Photo-11113808.135404 - seattlepi.com

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The WA Clark Theatre was built on the old Montana State Prison grounds in 1920, funded by a donation from copper king William A. Clark. It served as entertainment for both prisoners and members of the local Deer Lodge community. It also served as a valuable tool to punish prisoners for bad behavior. The theater remained in service until it was put out of action by a fire in 1975. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

The WA Clark Theatre was built on the old Montana State Prison grounds in 1920, funded by a donation from copper king William A. Clark. It served as entertainment for both prisoners and members of the local

The WA Clark Theatre was built on the old Montana State Prison... Photo-11110713.135404 - seattlepi.com

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This photo shows one facade of the Old Idaho State Penitentiary. The prison was in operation from 1872 to 1973, and was home to "some of the West's most desperate criminals," according to the Idaho Historical Society. Construction of the first building began east of Boise in 1870, as a single-cell house. Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Peter Wollheim.

This photo shows one facade of the Old Idaho State Penitentiary. The prison was in operation from 1872 to 1973, and was home to "some of the West's most desperate criminals," according to the Idaho Historical

This photo shows one facade of the Old Idaho State Penitentiary.... Photo-11110708.135404 - seattlepi.com

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One of the Idaho Territory's first two jails was in Idaho City. This photo postcard, taken sometime between 1910 and 1920, shows what was left of it then. Image courtesy University of Idaho.

One of the Idaho Territory's first two jails was in Idaho City. This photo postcard, taken sometime between 1910 and 1920, shows what was left of it then. Image courtesy University of Idaho.

Photo: Courtesy University Of Idaho

One of the Idaho Territory's first two jails was in Idaho... Photo-11113806.135404 - seattlepi.com

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This photo shows the historic Madras, Oregon courthouse and jail in about 1918. The building still stands today, and efforts are underway to restore it before the town's 2017 centennial. Madras is a small town north of Bend in central Oregon. Photo: Jefferson County Historical Society.

This photo shows the historic Madras, Oregon courthouse and jail in about 1918. The building still stands today, and efforts are underway to restore it before the town's 2017 centennial. Madras is a small town